Last year, the Relay for Life of Natick, Framingham and Sherborn offered lots of singing, food, contests and a chance to smash up a car.

What will this year bring?

You can find out at the Kick-Off on Feb. 6 from 6:30-8 p.m. at the American Cancer Society building, 30 Speen St., Framingham. Whether you’re a Relay veteran, or just wanting to get more information, come and learn about American Cancer Society programs, fundraisers and much more.

As of Jan. 24, 23 teams have formed, raising more than $13,000. There’s always room for more volunteers, participants and teams. For information, visit http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR;jsessionid=453F4DC3CAE9C73A336007B1A30C206D.app314b?pg=entry&fr_id=59158

On Jan. 26, head over to a Meat Shoot at The Tavern, 102 Irving St., Framingham, on Jan. 26 at 3 p.m. It’s like bingo, but with meat for prizes. Ten rounds of Bingo for a $20 donation per bingo card. Must get reservations in advance from Jeff Crosby (774-279-0047) or Chuck Dilts (508-361-5717). Bonus 11th round will be a 50/50 at $5 per card. These cards can be purchased at the shoot.

… The Relay will be held May 17-18 at Natick High School.

Notes:

… Some nice artwork at our local libraries. At the Bacon Free in South Natick, there’s an exhibit by local photographers who have been featured in Natick’s Oldtown Calendar, including more than one image from the new 2014 Calendar. The photographs will be on display until the end of February, and include work by Jay Ball, Dan Gee, Cheryl Rose, Russ Scott, Tod Dimmick and yours truly. The Oldtown Calendar raises money for local groups. A limited number of 2014 Calendars remain, and are available for sale at the library. A portion of the purchase price supports the BFL. For more information on the show, visitwww.baconfreelibrary.net. For more information on the Oldtown Calendar, go to www.oldtowncalendar.org.

At the Morse Institute’s Lebowitz Meeting Hall, there’s a photo exhibit by members of Framingham’s Gateway Camera Club. With approximately 50 pieces of art, everyone who views the exhibit will be drawn to a different piece of work. The exhibit will be on display through March during normal library hours.

One of the oldest and most active photography clubs in the area, Gateway Camera Club meets weekly at St. Andrew’s Church in Framingham. Guest artists and members critique each other’s work and discuss new techniques in a supportive atmosphere. Field trips, hands on learning and special programs occur throughout each season. Guests are welcome. Visit http://gatewaycameraclub.visualpursuits.com/ for information.

… Well, last Saturday’s weather came as a bit of a surprise, didn’t it? What started out as rain ended up as 4 inches of wet, pasty snow.

Page 2 of 4 - For the weekend:

… The Winter Market is under way. Stop by the Common Street Community Church on Saturdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and discover the best in local produce, crafts, cheeses and more. Come for the food, stay for the music.

… The Friends of the Morse Institute Library will conduct the first Book Sale of the year on Jan. 25 from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and Jan. 26 from noon-3 p.m. Paperbacks are 50 cents and hardcovers are $1; LPs, CDs, and cassettes priced as marked. Audiobooks, videotapes, DVDs, and puzzles are also available. There will also be baked goods available for purchase. Bakers are needed to help the Friends make the sale a success; bring cookies, muffins, cake, brownies, pies, breads, jams and jellies to the library’s Study Room 1A on Jan. 24 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., or on Jan. 25, and then stay and shop at the Book Sale. Proceeds benefit the Friends (www.morsefriends.org), a nonprofit, volunteer-run organization that supports the library with funding and service.

Reminder — no scanners or strollers on Saturday, but welcome on Sunday.

Other book sale dates —May 17 and 18, and Sept. 20 and 21.

… St. Paul’s Episcopal Church’s Youth Group will stage its annual "SPY Live" talent show on Jan. 26 from 6-8 p.m. at the Community Senior Center, 117 East Central St. Tickets will be available at the door, and there will be snacks available for purchase. Proceeds will benefit the group’s mission and pilgrimage fund.

And just beyond:

… Pasta Night has returned to the Sons of Italy Lodge, 37 Washington Ave. Stop by on Wednesdays from 5-7 p.m. for all-you-can-eat pasta, salad, bread and more. Cost is $7; free for those under 4 years of age. Proceeds go to the lodge’s scholarship fund. On Jan. 29, the menu will be eggplant, pasta and meatballs.

… Pat Conaway of Big Heart Little Feet fame has launched a new winter initiative called "Greensafe Neighbors." It’s basically a way to make sure sidewalks, catch basins and fire hydrants are cleared after snowstorms. He’s looking for church groups, Scouts, school kids and other volunteers to help with this initiative. Contact him at bpconaway@gmail.com.

… The Broadmoor Chamber Singers, under the direction of June Ambush, will hold open rehearsals on Mondays during January from 7:30-9 p.m. at the Christ Lutheran Church, 113 Union St. No auditions are necessary for membership in the group, only prior experience in choral singing. All voices are welcome. The group sings a wide variety of music, from classical, gospel, jazz, Broadway favorites, modern and madrigals, and performs concerts in the holiday and spring season. All age groups are included. For further information, e-mail broadmoorsingers@yahoo.com or visit www.broadmoorsingers.org. You may also call June Ambush at 781-338-0901 or 339-224-0561.

Page 3 of 4 - … Bacon Free Library’s Art for All will focus on "Snowflakes." Stop by the library, 58 Eliot St., South Natick, on Jan. 31 from 2-5 p.m. and make your own winter wonderful. Materials provided; free for all.

… The Sons of Italy will stage a Porchetta Roast on Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25; for tickets, call Ben at 508-653-4866 or get them at the bar during Pasta Night.

… Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary will have its annual Owl Festival on Feb. 1. Come explore the wonders of owls with friends and family. Join us for an up close and personal view of some of our local owl species, including the great horned and screech owl. Following the show, join us for a guided prowl to listen for owls in the wild. Preregistration is required. 3-4 p.m. Up Close and Personal with the Owls of Broadmoor. Adults $15 members/$18 nonmembers, Children $8 members/$10 nonmembers; 4:15-5:30 p.m. Owl Festival: Owl Prowl for Families. Adults $10 members/$12 nonmembers, Children $6 members/$8 nonmembers. Visit http://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/broadmoor/news-events/owl-festival for information and to register.

… The next meeting of the Natick Friends of the Fourth will be held Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Cole Center, 170 Boden Lane. Visit www.natick4th.org or the Friends’ Facebook page for updates. Ideas and volunteers always welcome.

… Come to the Bacon Free Library, 58 Eliot St., South Natick, for its monthly Art for All on Feb. 7 from 3-5 p.m. Make your own Valentines. Open to all ages. No registration required. All materials supplied free.

… The AMVETS post on Superior Drive off Route 9 will present its annual Passion Plunge for Massachusetts Special Olympics on Feb. 8. Registration begins at 9 a.m., the event starts at noon. For information, call Don McLean at 617-943-4337 or Wayne Anthony at 714-270-3253.

… The Metrowest JCC will hold a "Boogie Down at the Havdalah Beach Party with PJ Library," designed for families with children age 2-8, on Feb. 8 from 5-7 p.m. at the Community Senior Center, 117 East Central St. Beginning with a short Havdalah service (marking the end of Shabbat and the beginning of a new week), the partying will continue with DJ Mike. Light dinner included. $15/family; walk-ins: additional $5. Register at www.bostonjcc.org/metrowestbeachparty. For more information, contact metrowest@jccgb.org or 508-879-3300.

… The Morse Institute Library and the Friends of the Morse will present "Boston Jazz Voices in Concert" on Feb. 9 at 3 p.m. in Lebowitz Meeting Hall, lower level. Boston Jazz Voices is a 19-voice a cappella group that has performed in greater Boston for more than 25 years. The program is free and open to adults and school-age children. For information, call the library at 508-647-6520, or visit www.morseinstitute.org.

… On Feb. 11 at 6:30 p.m. and Feb. 14 at 2 p.m., the Natick Historical Society will honor its volunteers with a special program, including refreshments at the museum. On March 23 at 2 p.m., the Society will join with the Friends of the Bacon Free Library in the annual joint program featuring author Sarah Smiley. This program will be at Eliot Church on Route 16. On April 8 at 2:30 p.m. at the Morse Institute Library’s Lebowitz Meeting Hall, national media commentator Dan Kennedy will speak on "The New Media and Its Future."

Page 4 of 4 - Museum hours are Tuesdays from 4-8 p.m.; Wednesdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Admission is free; donations are welcome to help defray the costs of maintaining and adding to the collections.

Want to research the museum’s archives? Docent-assisted research is free for members of the Historical Society, $10 per day for nonmembers.

… Once the calendar turns to February, maple-sugaring season is not far behind. Join the Bacon Free Library, 58 Eliot St., South Natick, for "Maple Syrup Days," in cooperation with the Natick Community Organic Farm. On Feb. 26 and 28 at 10 a.m., come to the library for a special preschool story hour about pancakes and maple syrup, the come outside and see maple trees being tapped. Refreshments will be served. Don’t forget to dress warmly. Call the library at 508-653-6730 to sign up.

Have something for the column? Email me at msullivan@wickedlocal.com, or call 781-433-8226.